Broadway and West End Star Sierra Boggess is currently playing Fantine in Les Misérables at the Queen's Theatre. Next year Sierra will return to Broadway to join the cast of The Phantom Of The Opera for a limited engagement as Christine Daaé. Her appearance will coincide with the long-running musical's 25th anniversary.
Sierra recently returned to the London stage for the 25th Anniversary Gala of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, playing Christine Daaé. She has also played the role in the Las Vegas Production. Sierra created the role of Christine Daaé in Love Never Dies for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Her other theatre credits include Master Class (Broadway revival), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Broadway) and Love, Loss and What I Wore (Off-Broadway).
Sierra chats to West End Frame about Les Misérables, returning to Broadway next year and what shows she would like to be part of in the future...
Are you enjoying your time in London playing Fantine in Les Misérables?
Are you enjoying your time in London playing Fantine in Les Misérables?
I love it. Absolutely love it. It’s a dream come true to get to play Fantine. And the fact I get to play it in London feels incredible. For me as an American, to be over here in the longest running musical in the West End? Well it’s just the best! She’s an amazing character… she makes me want to fight harder in my life. I love her, and I will have a hard time letting her go when I leave in January.
Why do you think Les Misérables is such a hugely successful show?
The music, the story, the characters. Each character is crafted so beautifully and gets to sing a killer song. I feel like the audience really does go on the journey with you. Every song is memorable. And even though each character’s life seems so depressing, you watch how they don’t roll over and let life get the best of them. They are fighters! So you leave the show feeling HOPEFUL!!!
What are the rest of the cast like to work with?
I love this cast. Everyone says it all the time… we are so lucky to be working with such great people. Geronimo, who plays JVJ is an awesome leader of the company. He does all 8 shows a week first of all, which I find so important for setting the tone for the rest of the company. The fact he has sung the score in 2 different languages before coming here is also incredibly impressive. Everyone gives it their all. Everyone cares about the show, which is so wonderful to see after it’s been running for 27 years!
How do you unwind after performing such an emotionally draining show 8 times a week?
It’s funny, but going back to what I said before, I find it very hopeful. So yes, Fantine has a terribly emotional journey, but luckily after the first hour I can let go of that. I love to come home and simply veg out and watch TV shows like Parks and Recreation that make me smile! I also am working on guitar, and I love yoga, so just keeping myself in a positive mind frame and being THANKFUL that I don’t have a life like Fantine is good perspective.
Have you managed to catch any other West End shows recently, and if so which have been your favourites?
Just recently saw Matilda! Finally! I loved the song 'When I Grow Up' because I feel like that all the time! I still love swings and climbing trees. It was a beautiful show!
Next year you are returning to Broadway to play Christine in Phantom Of The Opera for the production’s 25th anniversary. Are you looking forward to it?
Very much. The show and the character are very close to my heart. I am so honored that I get to celebrate 25 years of its Broadway life after getting to do the same for its London life last year! Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hal Prince gave me my start in this business, so this feels like I can almost give back! As long as I do a good job!
You have played Christine Daaé in both Phantom of the Opera and in Love Never Dies. What is it that makes Christine such a special role?
Well first of all, people don’t write for sopranos the way Andrew does. So the scores for both of those shows are such a joy to sing. The character herself I find emotionally complex and I enjoy going deep into her psyche.
What advice would you give to any aspiring actors?
If you have a passion for this, then don’t give up on it. Know that you have to work very hard, but it is so rewarding. And I am not talking about the rewards of hearing an audience applaud or fame or something, I mean the things you will learn about yourself, the way you will grow as a person. There is nothing better than working hard so you can do what you love for a living! I have a quote that my teacher once told me which I tell everyone: “You are enough you are so enough, it’s unbelievable how enough you are”.
Have you got any dream roles you would like to play in the future?
Hmmm. I would love to do My Fair Lady, She Loves Me, or Carousel, or Camelot… I love old musicals. I love the scores!
Finally, what would you like to say to all of your fans who have supported you throughout your career?
Well… I say thank you! I say never give up on your dreams! Follow your heart! KNOW that you are enough! And thank you again for caring about live theatre enough to be a fan!!!
Visit www.lesmis.com to find out more about the show and to book tickets.
Wow. Sierra is just perfect. I wish I had money to see her as Fantine and Christine :/
ReplyDeleteThis is so inspirational
ReplyDeleteEnormous talent, beauty, brains and humility, Ms. Boggess is one rare gem.
ReplyDeleteI’ve already seen Sierra Boggess in some opera houses before she finally made it in Les Misérables. I remember when my friend and I stayed up late just to buy passes at the royal albert hall ticket office for her show!
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